Share-Based Compensation (Summarized Restricted Stock Units Activity) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	11 Months Ended
Nov. 27, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 0.5

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value1

No definition available.

Name:	dpl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue1
Namespace Prefix:	dpl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration